this is property

It’s EOFY, so we’re bringing you a value-packed episode to help investors prep for tax time and plan ahead. Rach is joined by Leah Hall from Lift Accounting to run through her top tax tips, common mistakes to avoid, and the smartest ways to reduce holding costs, boost deductions, and time your sales for maximum benefit. They touch on:

👉 top tax tips for property investors

👉🏽 how to reduce the real cost of holding property

👉🏼...

Property expenses have gone up across the board from interest rates and insurance to council rates and land tax. In this episode, John and Rach share practical ways to manage the cost of holding property, whether you're feeling the pressure now or planning ahead. They cover smart lending strategies, cash flow management, and how to make sure your portfolio is working for you. Note: this episode was recorded before May rate reductio...

John and Rachelle go back to basics in this episode, answering common questions about buying your first investment property. From whether to buy a house or a unit, to what kind of loan structure and team you need, they break it all down. Plus, two real-life listener stories that show how different paths into the market can still lead to solid outcomes. This episode covers:

👉🏻 how to choose the right type of property

👉 house vs...

The election's over and Labor's locked in for another term, so what does that mean for home buyers and investors? John and Rach break down the key policies on the table and how they could impact the market over the next few years. They cover:

👉🏾 universal 5% deposit changes (no income cap!)

👉🏿 why January 2026 could trigger a demand surge

👉🏻 shared equity scheme pros and cons

👉 new builds vs established areas: what to consid...

In this episode, John and Rach break down the three main options for upsizing your home. They also cover the emotional and financial realities of upsizing, why bridging loans get a bad rap, and how to test if you’re really ready for a bigger mortgage. Using real client stories, they unpack:

👉🏾 selling before you buy

👉🏻 buying before you sell (with or without a bridging loan)

👉🏼 negotiating a simultaneous settlement

Need c...

Today, John officially welcomes mortgage broker Rachelle Kroon as a permanent host on this is property! She's the founder of Sphere Home Loans and has been a familiar voice on the show over the years, so if you guessed it might be her, nice work! She knows her stuff and fits right in. To kick things off, John and Rach dive into a Q&A covering:

👉🏻 sibling or friend guarantees - are they even possible?

👉🏼 location or proper...

In today’s episode Rach from Sphere Home Loans returns to share a real client case study about Nicole, a young woman who started her property journey solo and made some smart early moves. With the help of a parental guarantee, Nicole built a two property portfolio before meeting her partner. But when it came time to buy their dream home together, things got complicated.

Need clarity on your property situation? Book a clarity cal...

In today’s episode, Rach Kroon from Sphere Home Loans joins John on the pod to share her personal property journey. From getting into the market at a young age to building a diverse portfolio with duplexes, rentvesting, parental guarantees and commercial property in super, Rach shares the strategies, mindset shifts and money lessons she learned along the way.

Need clarity on your property situation? Book a clarity call with John...

Emily shares the five biggest lessons she’s learned about property, the industry, and herself + a BIG announcement.

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In this episode John and Emily unpack one of the biggest property questions: should you stretch for your dream home now, or take the stepping stone approach? They explore how borrowing power, lifestyle goals, location, and long-term thinking all play a role in making the right call for your first purchase. The ep touches on:

👉🏾 weighing up lifestyle vs long-term capital growth

👉🏿 understanding how fast you might outgrow a ste...

In today's Q&A episode John and Em tackle:

👉🏾 what to consider when buying your next property

👉🏿 how much are buyer’s advocate fees?

👉 removalists vs. DIY - what’s the best move?

👉🏻 interest rates - when will drops hit your repayments?

👉🏽 first home super saver scheme—why aren’t more people using it?

👉🏼 CGT on a duplex, stamp duty changes & more!

Need a buyer's advocate in your corner? Check out how Emily and Jo...

Not all finance strategies are created equal. Rachelle Kroon from Sphere Home Loans joins John on the show to break down what makes a solid finance plan, the warning signs of a bad broker, and how to set yourself up for property success. They also dive into real case studies, including how a 22-year-old saved $90K and bought his first investment property while still living at home.

Check out John's book, Sort Your Property Out &...

In today's episode, renovation coach Belinda Smith joins Em to bust common renovation myths and share expert tips on how to renovate smarter, not harder. They touch on:

👉🏾 the biggest renovation myths (and what actually works)

👉🏿 where to spend money (and where to save)

👉🏻 how to avoid overcapitalising on your reno

👉 the A-team you need for a stress-free renovation

👉🏼 why flipping isn’t the only way to make money from renos

The 2025 property market is off and running! Emily and John break down what’s happening on the ground, from auction clearance rates and buyer sentiment to interest rate cuts and what they mean for homebuyers and investors. Plus, the surprising trends in first homebuyer competition and whether now is really the right time to buy.

Need a property professional in your corner? Check out how Emily and John can help 👇

Emily's website:...

The RBA has finally cut rates! John and Rach from Sphere Home Loans break down what it means for buyers, investors, and existing mortgage holders. They touch on:

👉🏻 how much borrowing power has changed

👉 whether investors are jumping back in

👉🏼 what first home buyers should do now

👉🏽 the possible changes to HELP debt and borrowing capacity

Need a mortgage broker? Connect with the team at Sphere Home Loans here

Need a p...

Imagine saving for years, buying a property…then losing $50k in the blink of an eye. That’s exactly what happened to Adam. He joins John to share how a too good to be true property deal went south fast and the red flags he wished he'd paid more attention to.

Want a clarity call with John about your situation? Book here

Need a property professional in your corner? Check out how Emily and John can help 👇

Emily's website: https:...

Buying a home or investment? Don’t make these 6 common mistakes! John and Em share tips that could save you a fortune.

Need a property professional in your corner? Check out how Emily and John can help 👇

Emily's website: https://wallaceadvocates.com.au/

John's website: https://www.solverewealth.com.au/

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In today's chat, John and Em tackle your property questions and unpack a crucial ATO rule change that could impact sellers. They touch on:

👉🏻 why sellers now need an ATO clearance certificate (Learn more here)

👉 upsizing: is it worth taking on more debt?

👉🏼 the increase in home insurance premiums

👉🏽 shares vs property

👉🏾 should you pay off a smaller loan first or tackle the biggest debt?

Need a property professional in y...

Is buying in bushfire or flood zones worth the risk? John and Emily discuss how to weigh the pros and cons, from property values and insurance premiums to essential precautions that can protect your home.

Articles and resources mentioned in the chat:

https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/list/bushfire-proof-house-design

https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/how-the-bom-s-weather-forecast-error-cost-millions-20240116-...